Lamps hardly a light affair

BY VERONICA THERESA TUCCI

Before winter recess, many students, after a long night of studying for finals, were awakened by a knock from the Fire Marshal or one of his staff. Alas, many of our fellow clasmates were violating Yale College regulations regarding halogen lamps. Now, these students are faced with the daunting decision of keeping the beloved lamp or facing a hefty fine from the University. (Unlike microwaves, halogen lamps cannot be hidden under towels nor should they be!)

A very real problem arises from this situation: what are the students to do for illumination? Most rooms on campus have insufficient lighting, if any at all. Without the halogen lamps so many people have brought to school, they would be forced to work with only the dim light of the New Haven sky. Therefore, many students are now forced to purchase new lights and lamps to replace the halogen lamps they can no longer legally use.

The cost incurred by the students may run as high as $50. In comparison to the $30,000 a year it costs to attend Yale, this sum may seem trifling. However, this new expense reflects yet another financial burden for students on financial aid. With book prices spiraling out of control and regular visits to the restaurants that are the alternatives to Yale's dining halls, these new costs make life even harder for Yalies.

What are the objections to halogen lamps? The most glaring is that they may cause damage to Yale University property. It is understandable, then, that the Administration wishes to protect Yale from unnecessary damage and repair. I applaud University officials for taking these steps. However, despite the high tuition paid annually by many of our parents, Yale still has neither instituted an alternative lighting source for students nor offered to reimburse students for their purchases.

These facts aside, how dangerous are halogen lamps? If students follow the normal procedures, keeping them from flammable material--and not drying clothes on them--they are harmless. Although we should not take it for granted that intelligence and common sense go hand in hand, I believe most Yale students have the common sense required to use their lamps properly.

And if, by some freak chance, a student manages to set fire to a copy of Aristotle's Politics while drying it after a typical New Haven monsoon, then it is that student who should be responsible for paying for the damages. The entire student body need not pay the price, whether it is a check for $50 or a night spent studying for that big history exam in darkness.

Back to Opinion...